Very Bad Wizards Episode 313: The Spontaneous Eruption of Now
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Jul 29, 2025 David and Tamler dive into the metaphysics of time, exploring the philosophical tension between time skeptics and realists. They tackle the mysteries of qualia, pondering how subjective experiences—like seeing color—can be measured scientifically. With playful banter, they critique the methodologies of recent studies while engaging with Borges’ thought-provoking ideas on time and identity. The discussion raises profound questions about the nature of reality, personal experience, and the intricate relationship between memory and time.
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Misunderstanding Qualia Measurement
- The podcast critiques a video claiming scientists measured qualia, highlighting conceptual confusions, especially the misunderstanding of qualia itself.
- Neural correlations to reported experiences don't equate to solving the philosophical problem of subjective experience.
Color Perception Study Limits
- Similar brain activity for color perception in different people doesn't prove identical subjective experiences.
- The study offers insights into color neuroscience but doesn't resolve the 'hard problem' of consciousness.
Predictive Models and Qualia
- Scientific approaches like predictive coding attempt to mathematically model consciousness but don't directly explain subjective experience's quality.
- Redefining qualia as brain predictions changes the problem without solving it.
